Woman, my benediction for you
is that you always take up as much space
as you need.
Do not compromise your presence
for the sake of men
who walk too wide and too large.
You are deserving of every inch of space
you can carve out for yourself -
use your fingernails if you have to,
claw and tear at the world to make it
accommodate you.
Do not cede one centimeter.

Daughter, my benediction for you
is that you always know the source
of your value.
It is not in the number of people you please,
or how much of yourself you pour out,
like a farmer watering her crops
but forgetting to drink
that cool water herself.
Your value is intrinsic. Your value
is in the fact that you are alive, and here,
and there is only one you.
Do not forget your worth.

Mother, my benediction for you
is that you always remember
how to create.
Your greatest creation was not your children;
you still need to form
every last second of your life.
Your nest is not empty, but instead
is full of promise and opportunity
if you would just claim it as yours.
Do not surrender this gift.

Women, my benediction for you
is that you gather each other
under your wings, as God
in Her generosity drew us together
like a mother hen gathers
Her brood.
Lift each other, love each other,
form a barrier with each other
that will not let your enemies through.
Cry out like a woman giving birth,
loud and terrifying and miraculous,
and lay waste to those
that would stop you.

I have two daughters, and they are being raised to depend on themselves, as well as some of the others around them. For as much as my wife and I want to build their independence, we want to keep them connected. They are reminded often, that Life, is a most wonderful opportunity to get to know themselves. Whether we look at our existence as a game, a test, or only as a chance, when the colors run away, we tend to evaluate ourselves. Life is filled with limitations, and it is the man-made ones that bother me the most. I believe that our Spirits are not aligned with our sexualities for good reasons.
Very much enjoyed,
David

This poem is beautifully constructed and the progression from addressing woman, daughter, mother then women (all inclusive) is very effective is underlining the message of not letting societal traditions impair freedom of emotional, intellectual or spiritual growth at any stage of life.

"Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy. These pure and spontaneous pleasures are 'patches of Godlight' in the woods of our experience."

There is a voice that runs through these lines, a verbal vibration, venerable and undeniable. Wisdom and deep honor that abides still, even in a world that has moved over centuries based upon the male presence. Long has the "feminine" moved, often beneath the surface, to maintain balance, peace and nurturing energies, while being forced, many times, into a submissive role, discounted, discouraged, denied and defamed. This wonderful write reminds all women, of their tenacity, their strength, their ties to the natural world, and their innate ability to guide, through grace. Thank you so much, a beautiful write.

This is absolutely breathtaking. The flow is amazing, the imagery is spot on, and the topic is so powerful. Your words are so calm and healing like a balm I didn't know I needed. These things are so important to tell women, and I feel like we aren't told them nearly enough. I feel like this piece is made of the whispered words we know are true in our hearts as women, but don't know the names of until we're taught it really is okay to be ourselves. This is amazing! I'd love to post this on FB with credit to you if that's okay! PM me and let me know.